[ilguy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

That is just amazing how Pearl sits there to get stroked. It's almost like she can sense your PTSD and wants to help.
You two are so much in tune with each other, it's incredible.

Pearl absolutely senses my mood beyond a doubt!!! I had a big interview this week, she got up a few hours earlier than usual and spent extra time with me. She came back looking for me four times, for fairly long together time while I was studying & getting ready. She still "rings the bell" by nibbling on her dish to get my attention, or does a little squeak and paws at that corner for me.

I'm still trying to learn her vocalizations, she's getting more chatty and less silent each week. She continues to become more "hamstery" as well, her new nighttime routine is pretty much set. Long bouts of zooming on the wheel with little breaks, and maybe one solid bout of together time. She always tolerates my hand in the enclosure and will come over for a little polite check if I put it in at night, but usually just goes back to the wheel. It's still her time, and the morning is hamster approved together time

It's great that she now feels safe spending it on the surface though, really drives home how bad that saucer was for her at the start. I also put in that platform under her sand bath like you suggested, and it got a little change out of her: I spotted her doing a roll for the first time

Originally Posted by cloudy

Your bond is just beautiful. I wish I would have the same bond with the hamster I adopt but I know that is almost impossible. lol.

I'm so lucky to have her, and most of it's definitely Pearl I wonder if some of it was unnatural from boredom though. I was her #1 source of entertainment & enrichment early on, while that saucer was doing her no good at all. She's in such a better place with the new wheel and upgrades to her enclosure.

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

So sorry she had a bad dream. I'm wondering if the chattering and upset was over injuring her nose or having the dream (or maybe both). Is there anything she could have hurt her nose on in the cage? Always best to check. She could have just scratched it herself if having a bad dream though. Our first syrian had something similar one night. I heard this loud squeal from his house but he seemed fine the next day so I assumed it was just a bad dream. However I had just put in some natural leafy stuff, like a forest carpet type stuff that was supposed to be hamster approved and the dried leaves had stalks on. I did wonder if one had poked him in the eye. So to be on the safe side I removed it and didn't have any issues after that. Their eyes are so sensitive to damage.

What you describe of her chattering to call for you is definitely communication with us - and them trying to tell us something. Trouble is sometimes we have to work out what they're trying to tell us! So I usually do a full check then to see if everything in the cage is ok. Wheel working ok and not stuck (pushing substrate under it can jam it). Water bottle working ok and has water in and not drained, and is letting water out ok. any damaged or chewed items with sharp edges, that kind of thing.

They can get nose injuries from bars or mesh as well if they try and chew them. Do you have a nightcam? so you can see what she gets up to at night?

Anyway glad all is well now! Your time and effort is paying off with the bond and taming

I did do a thorough check and the enclosure is okay. Ultimately Pearl showed me the cause, it was a self inflicted scratch. I saw her biting her nails when taking a break on the wheel, they were noticeably over grown and curving too much. Super lucky to live down the street from the one decent exotic pet vet in town. I took her over and got them trimmed. Pearl was a pretty good camper for it, considering she doesn't like free-roaming nor leaving the enclosure.

That's awesome advice, totally stealing all of it. Any suggestion on a nightcam? Might have to try one, she's pretty much out on her wheel for hours with little breaks at times. It would be interesting to see if her alone time is any different, I think she plays with her puzzles only when I'm asleep as far as I can tell.

She also developed a pretty funny/smart habit the past few days. The wheel is a new potty spot since I cleaned it, you were right and it was too soon. She would freeze up on the wheel for a bit and I was confused what on earth she was doing. Then she slowly started inching the wheel forward while going so she didn't wet herself xD